Plug-In Energy Sensor Using Voltage and EM Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy monitoring systems require direct installation into electrical panels or connection to the mains, necessitating professional installation and dedicated breaker panels, limiting their accessibility and flexibility for monitoring energy consumption in homes and premises.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in energy sensor that can be easily inserted into any electrical outlet to monitor voltage and radiated electromagnetic energy, allowing for device identification and energy consumption tracking without the need for professional installation or dedicated breaker panels, using voltage signature data and radiated electromagnetic energy signature data to determine device operation and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct installation into electrical panel or connection to mains is used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (power strip with monitoring capabilities) that sits between the electrical outlet and the device being monitored. This intermediary captures voltage and current measurements without requiring direct panel installation, thus maintaining measurement precision while dramatically simplifying installation to just plugging into a standard outlet.
2Reliability
If direct connection to service main is used, then reliability of energy monitoring is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy monitoring function into a standalone plug-in device that operates independently from the main electrical panel. This segmentation allows the monitoring system to be installed by simply plugging into a standard outlet, making it accessible to average consumers without requiring professional electrician installation, while still providing reliable monitoring through direct voltage and current measurement capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated breaker panel is required, then measurement accuracy is improved, but adaptability and versatility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal monitoring device that can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet regardless of the circuit breaker configuration or panel setup. The device performs multiple functions including voltage measurement, current measurement, power calculation, and device identification, making it adaptable to diverse installation environments without requiring dedicated breaker panels or custom installations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and user-friendly monitoring of energy consumption by identifying devices and their operational states without the need for complex installations, providing insights into energy usage patterns and potential savings opportunities.
Implementation Method 1
monitor potential voltage and/or changes in radiated electromagnetic energy at a premises to determine device usage at the premises
Implementation Method 2
monitor potential voltage and/or changes in radiated electromagnetic energy at a premises to determine device usage at the premises
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems, methods, and apparatus that monitor potential voltage and/or radiated electromagnetic energy at a premises to determine device usage at the premises. The monitored potential voltage and/or radiated electromagnetic energy may be processed to generate voltage signature data and radiated electromagnetic energy signature data, a signature data pair, of an operational device and that signature data pair may be used to identify at least one of a device type, a device, a device element of the device, and/or an operational state of a device.